NC Early Voting Begins October 17, 2024

 By Mildred Robertson

Well, this election year we have endured all the drama of a convicted felon's selection to lead the Republican Party, a Democratic presidential candidate's decision to step aside for the good of the Party, and the nomination of a candidate who may possibly be the first female of Asian and African descent to ascend to the United States presidency.  That's a lot...but there is more.

America is fighting unprecedented attacks against the right to vote, the right to a woman's bodily autonomy, the right to a fair wage, and the right to affordable housing and health care. We also face the possible destruction of the democratic rule of law in this nation. Our future and the outcome of all these weighty issues and more ride on America's ability to choose wisely when we go to the ballot box this fall. 

Unfortunately, some votes in this upcoming election will be more impactful than others. The general election happens every four years when citizens go to cast their votes; however, their vote doesn't determine who wins. Instead, the Electoral College determines the outcome of the general election. 

The Electoral College has 538 electors and requires a majority of 270 electoral votes to elect the President. Each state has the same number of electors as it does Members in its Congressional delegation: one for each Member in the House of Representatives plus two Senators. Most states have a “winner-take-all” system that awards all electors to the presidential candidate who wins the state's popular vote. Therefore, a candidate may have more popular votes nationwide than the declared winner.

 North Carolina is among those states that may be pivotal in providing the electoral votes necessary to determine America's future direction. There are seven states with a total of 90 electoral votes that may determine who wins the White House this fall. They are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

While North Carolina may lean Republican, having statistically voted for the Republican presidential candidate more often, Democratic and Republican parties have virtually equal support in North Carolina. Trump narrowly won the state in 2020, but the state previously chose democrats Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Barack Obama in 2008. While voting for Trump in 2020, the state also elected a Democratic governor. 

So, what does all this mean for North Carolinians? Our votes may be more impactful than the majority of American voters. YOUR VOTE may be more impactful than other voters. That is why North Carolinians and other swing-state voters must become informed, remain motivated, and head out to the polls when they open in mid-October. 

North Carolinians can cast early votes between October 17 - November 2. Go to your County Board of Elections website to find early voting sites in your county. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. If you don't have one, your county board of elections must grant you one for free. You may also get a free ID card from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). Also, if you plan to vote on Election Day November 5th check your registration status with the County Board of Elections to ensure your name has not been purged from the roll. 

You must make your voice heard this election year, or you might not have the opportunity again. Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election either by early voting or in person on Election Day. And don't forget the down-ballot races.